In Uruguay, Pope urges husbands to respect wives amid femicide crisis

Pope Leo XIV delivered a message on Sunday, urging men to treat their wives with respect during his homily in Uruguay. The Catholic Church leader emphasized the importance of living with integrity, even when it demands sacrifice. He conveyed these sentiments to a crowd of over 3,800 worshippers who gathered in the city of Florida for an open-air mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Florida.

In the past five years, Latin America and the Caribbean witnessed nearly 20,000 femicides, most of which were committed by the victim's current or former partner, according to the UN's regional economic mission. This grim statistic was revealed as Pope Leo XIV wrapped up his first leg of a 12-day tour across the continent. The pontiff, who previously served as a missionary and bishop in the region, arrived in Uruguay on Sunday, having already visited Argentina and Peru.

The Pope's visit to Uruguay holds significance as it strengthens the Church's presence in the country, as noted by 22-year-old Ivanna Fisichella, who attended the mass. Additionally, 57-year-old Evangelina Campero praised the Pope's efforts, especially considering he embarked on the grueling tour just three weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

The Pope's message to men to treat their wives with respect echoes throughout his visit, culminating in the final leg of his tour in Peru, where he has a special connection as a former missionary and bishop.